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MICHAEL J. MULLEN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Countryside Conservancy members Diana Dakey, Bill Kern and Caroline Seamans chat along a trail at Keystone College. The group is planning the annual Go Green Bike Tour, a cycling event for mountain and road bikes as well as a ride for children.

MICHAEL J. MULLEN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Countryside Conservancy members Diana Dakey, Bill Kern and Caroline Seamans chat along a trail at Keystone College. The group is planning the annual Go Green Bike Tour, a cycling event for mountain and road bikes as well as a ride for children.

Cyclists can hit the road — and the trails — next week to help Countryside Conservancy raise not just money but also awareness about its purpose.

The nonprofit group will hold its fifth annual Go Green Bike Tour on Sunday, Aug. 24, with routes starting at Fleetville Volunteer Fire Company, Route 407, Fleetville. The event offers options for road cyclists and mountain bikers of all ages and skill levels.

The money raised will benefit the conservancy, a La Plume-based group that works in Lackawanna, Susquehanna and Wyoming counties. Tour spokeswoman and conservancy board member Diana Dakey said previous tours have helped with the construction of the conservancy’s new trolley trail, whose ribbon cutting is set for Oct. 10, and shown the public the group’s “commitment to protecting outdoor places for the enjoyment of the public.”

“It raises awareness of who the Countryside Conservancy is and our mission to protect the land in and around the Tunkhannock Creek watershed,” Ms. Dakey said.

Tour registration runs from 7 to 10 a.m. at the fire station, and rides will depart from 7:30 to 10. Riders can choose from beginner, intermediate and advanced routes on mountain and road courses. Groups will have leaders so “no one needs to feel like they’re going to be forgotten out on a country road,” Ms. Dakey said.

“If they want to try out cycling, there’s that support group right there to help them ensure they have an enjoyable, risk-free experience,” she said. “And if they are cycling enthusiasts, either road or mountain, they can come out and find other like-minded individuals and have a great time doing something in a group setting and making new friends as well as spending time with the friends and family that they bring.”

Upon registering, participants will receive colored maps highlighting the routes they can take. Courses will travel through areas like greater Fleetville, Dalton and, for the mountain-biking routes, Lackawanna State Park, Ms. Dakey said. For road cyclists, options include the 18.2-mile beginner route, 29.3-mile intermediate route and metric century advanced route.

“The metric century is reputed to be very challenging, which is something that appeals to the serious cyclist because they want to get out there and really test their limits,” Ms. Dakey said.

Children also can take part in the fun by riding on marked courses through mowed grass that stay on the fire company’s grounds.

Ms. Dakey said having “repeat customers” who have spread the word about the tour to their friends through the years has enabled its success, and the conservancy has found more and better ways to tout the event, too.

“Also, I think more people are getting into cycling, both road and mountain,” she said. “It’s just a great form of exercise.”

Ms. Dakey described the fire hall as a “great launching point” for riding on “some gorgeous roads.” She noted how the tour provides a fun way to spend a Sunday morning, especially for cyclists who regularly go out on weekend rides.

“This way, they can go out and do a ride with this festive atmosphere,” she said.

Details: Registration is $30 by Friday and $40 after Friday for individuals, $40 for a parent and up to two children under 12, and $12 for children under 12. Visit for more information.

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